Senator Dean Barkley on Long-Term Care

Ecumen is seeking the views on aging and long-term care from Minnesota’s major candidates for U.S. Senate. Today we feature a statement from Senator Dean Barkely, the Independence Party endorsed candidate. He has served in the U.S. Senate before. In 2003 he was appointed by Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura to serve the remainder of Sen. Paul Wellstone’s term after Sen. Wellstone was killed in a plane crash. Most recently Sen. Barkley served seniors and people with disabilities as a driver with Metro Mobility. Below is Sen. Barkley’s statement:
To Read Other Candidates’ view: Go here for our interview with Al Franken. We also have an interview request into Sen. Norm Coleman and hope to have his answers here soon.

I believe that we must provide additional resources to home care toreduce the need for nursing home care. Nursing homes should be a lastresort. We need to everything possible to allow elderly Americans theopportunity to stay in their homes.My Mother was forced into a nursing home three years ago. It was not apleasant experience. She did not want to go into the nursing home andwas very unhappy until her death. She was also forced to spend her lifesavings on paying for the service. There has to be a better way.